If you are interested in becoming an operations manager, your primary duty will be to manage a team of people and implement the correct practices and processes across the organization.
Operations managers must also improve performance, formulate strategies and focus on delivering quality products and services.
There are numerous tasks that you will be expected to carry out, so it’s vital that you have the right skill set and knowledge to help the business grow.
To help make your mind up, here are some of the key attributes you need to succeed in operations management:
Planning
Regardless of what task you have been set, an operations manager needs to possess excellent planning skills.
Arranging all your skills and projects according to what needs to be finished throughout the day can help you keep on track with your workload and ensure you know what you’re doing from beginning to end.
Your duties may include developing procedures and policies, creating budgets, and supporting all functions, which is why planning is a key component of operations management.
Delegation
Operations managers cannot complete everything by themselves, so you will need to master the art of delegation.
When working on a project or task, you will need to work with your team and decide who is fit for which role.
There are numerous benefits that delegating can bring, allowing you to focus on higher-level tasks while other members complete their tasks, as well as developing trust between workers.
An operations manager will learn the strengths and weaknesses of their workforce, which can help you act accordingly and ensure each member of the team is happy and confident in their role.
Excellent Communication
Whether you’re engaging with your team, managers, or clients, it’s vital that operation managers know how to communicate effectively.
There are many types of people that you will come into contact with on a day to day basis, so knowing how to get your message across to others and establishing a strong rapport with each audience can help you perform your job more efficiently and productively.
When working on a project or task, things can spiral out of control if communication lines break down, so it’s your job to use an array of communication vehicles like written, verbal and body language to keep things moving in the right direction.
Knowledge
While knowledge isn’t technically categorized as an operations management skill, it’s a crucial part of the success. Operation managers need to learn the daily processes of the company, and any other aspects which can help you communicate effectively and delegate.
While you don’t have to understand every detail, it’s vital that you have basic knowledge to ensure the project is managed well.
Education plays a key part in succeeding in operations management. You should dedicate time to learning more about operations and automation, as well as providers who offer degrees in the field.
Time Management
For operations managers to thrive in their position, you need to understand the importance of time management.
There will be various deadlines that you must adhere to, so reporting to your team of supervisors or managers with realistic time frames is essential.
The last thing you want is to miss deadlines, as you may lose custom which can be severely damaging to the future of the business.
Operation managers who possess time management skills can deliver work on time, provide a better quality of work, and tend to procrastinate less.
Leadership
As operation managers are required to work with different teams of people who have a variety of specialist knowledge and technical skills, it’s important that you know how to lead a group of individuals to success.
Operation managers are experts at motivating their team and being on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the project and task.
If the quality of work is deteriorating, it’s your job to hold regular meetings to check in on your team and iron out any problems that may hinder the project.
Active Listening
Operation managers who are active listeners can build better connections, identify, and solve problems, as well as help you avoid missing any critical information that could hinder the final outcome of the project.
It’s important that you take everyone’s thoughts and opinions on board and see the situation from other points of view.
Problem Solving
There will be several challenges and obstacles that you will come up against as an operations manager, so it’s important that you know how to problem solve and see the situation through to the end.
A reputable operation manager will be able to identify things that could be improved or changed, as well as diagnose the current situation and establish the forces and factors that influence it.
There is always room for growth and improvement in operations management, so overcoming hurdles and using the correct techniques is key.
Teamwork
When working on a project or task, you may need to come together with your team to get the job done.
You should never underestimate the value of teamwork, especially when it comes to driving the business forward. Being able to work with others will share the workload, ease burnout, and help you develop new skills that can propel your career forward.
If each member of the team works in sync, it will keep everyone on track and ensure deadlines are met according to plan.
Stress Tolerance
There will be tense environments that you will find yourself in as an operations manager, so knowing how to work well under pressure and keep your cool is critical for success.
When things get tough, there are several things you can do to reduce stress levels, such as practicing relaxation techniques.
To flourish in operations management, all the skills listed above are what employers look for in candidates.
Whether it’s knowing how to lead a team, or work well under pressure, there are lots of transferable skills that can help you manage your time better and ensure you work to the best of your ability.
